Starwood Hotels Set to Double Portfolio in Puerto Rico

Global Hospitality Giant Will Open the Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center
Hotel and Debut the W and St. Regis brands in the Next 12 Months
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(Business Wire)--
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) - the hotel industry`s
most global company - today announces it will double its presence in Puerto Rico
in the next year with the opening of the island`s first W and St. Regis hotels
and its second Sheraton.

Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel - the first full-service hotel and
casino built in San Juan in a decade - opens this November. Coming on its heels
are the W Retreat and Spa-Vieques Island and The St. Regis Resort and Residences
Bahia Beach, both scheduled to open in 2010. The St. Regis also marks a
meaningful milestone for Puerto Rico and Starwood as it is the first new luxury
hotel to welcome guests to the island since 1997.

"The temperate climate, strong infrastructure, and proximity to gateway cities
in the United States, Mexico and South America make Puerto Rico an extremely
attractive growth market for Starwood and our proven development partners," said
Paul Sacco, Senior Vice President of Development, North America, Starwood Hotels
& Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "As we work to further our lead as the world`s largest
upper-upscale and luxury hotel company, and the leading innovator in the select
service segment, we see significant long-term opportunity in this dynamic
market."

The three new Starwood properties will join Starwood`s three existing properties
in Puerto Rico: Sheraton Old San Juan, Four Points by Sheraton Caguas Real Hotel
& Casino and Four Points by Sheraton Resort & Casino at Palmas Del Mar.

Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel

Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel opens next month adjacent to the
Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan`s newest vibrant commercial and
residential district. The new 503-room hotel will accommodate both business and
leisure travelers and offer exceptional meeting facilities, a full-service
casino and resort-like amenities, including a pool, spa and retail space.

W Retreat and Spa - Vieques Island

Located on the island of Vieques, approximately eight miles off the coast of
Puerto Rico, W Retreat and Spa-Vieques Island is scheduled to open in the spring
of 2010. The first W property in the Caribbean and the brand`s second retreat
property, W Retreat and Spa - Vieques will offer breathtaking views of the
Caribbean Sea, stylish guest rooms, world-class dining, a luxurious spa,
flexible meeting and banquet space and two private beaches.

The St. Regis Resort and Residences Bahia Beach

Opening in the fall of 2010, The St. Regis Bahia Resort and Residences will
offer spectacular views of the sparkling sea to the north and the mountainous El
Yunque National Rainforest to the south. The $172 million resort will feature
139 luxurious guest rooms and suites with spectacular ocean views, 25
Residences, the iconic St. Regis Butler Service, a world-class Remèdesm Spa,
oceanfront swimming pools, 120-seat restaurant by renowned Chef Jean-Georges and
a recently opened 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.,
marking the island`s foray into the five-star-luxury market with its
inauguration.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and
leisure companies in the world with 982 properties in more than 100 countries
and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a
fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and
residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis, The
Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le Méridien, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton,
and the recently launched Aloft, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns
Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators
of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information,
please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Media:
Starwood Hotels: Brad Minor, 914-640-3687
brad.minor@starwoodhotels.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009